I sign in with security, get a visitor’s badge and then go to the top floor as instructed. When I step out of the elevator, a sharply dressed receptionist directs me down the hall to Gavin’s office.
Breathing slowly to control my nerves, I make my way along the luxurious corridor. Gavin occupies the biggest corner office. A pretty, statuesque redhead is sitting outside. The nameplate on her desk reads Hilary Pryce.
I look her up and down fast. She’s younger than I expected. Maybe in her thirties…? Her clothes look expensive, which makes sense, given that she’s married to a wealthy businessman. Next to her keyboard stands a gorgeous travel mug that says A Woman Worth Her Weight in Gold.
She looks up from her monitor. “Hi,” she says, her voice low and warm. It’s much huskier in real life.
“Hi. I’m Pascal Snyder. I have an interview.”
“Perfect. Gavin’s appointment just ended. You can go right in. He’s expecting you.”
“Oh. Thank you,” I say, surprised she doesn’t think it necessary to announce me.
I inhale slowly, smoothing my outfit, and recite my positive mantra. I’m ready for this. I’m just as good as or better than anybody applying here. I deserve a place here.
Then I walk through the open door.
Gavin Lloyd’s office is large and luxurious but also highly functional. Nothing inside is designed for mere pampering, but for optimal ergonomic setup.
The man himself sits behind a huge desk. His hair is black with a hint of brown, his dark eyes piercing. He isn’t handsome, per se, but photos don’t do him justice. There’s a restless energy to him, a slight hint of impatience that the world is moving at a slower speed than he’d like, that doesn’t come through in pictures. Or maybe it’s just something he’s feeling today because of the market’s volatility.
He stands and shakes hands with me, his grip firm. “Gavin Lloyd. Nice to meet you, Pascal.”
“Same here.”
“Take a seat.” He gestures at one of the armchairs, then moves to one himself.
Huh. So he isn’t going to reclaim the chair at his desk.
“I don’t like to waste time, so I’m going to go straight to the questions I want to ask first.”
“That’s fine.” I actually prefer that to a lot of meaningless chatter. I’m too nervous for chitchat, and I expect him to grill me until I feel more abused than a steak charred to bricklike consistency.
And he doesn’t disappoint, because he starts off with the recent market movements, then goes straight to more specific questions, thrown at me rapidly and without any pause.
“Which currency would you buy?”
“Thai baht,” I say without hesitation.
“Why?”
“Fundamentals look good, and it’s been a solid gainer.”
“Past performance doesn’t guarantee future perform
ance.”
“I agree, but there’s nothing indicating that it won’t continue to perform well. Thailand is making moves to improve its infrastructure, particularly in regards to automobile production. Tourism is also set to in—”
“Who’s the most important person at OWM?”
This is too easy. “Other than you?”
“Obviously.” A small smile pops on his face.
I smile back. “Your assistant.”
“Why her and not one of the VPs who get featured in articles all the time?”